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- Aasa, Björn, et al.
(author)
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A characterisation of pain, disability, kinesiophobia and physical capacity in patients with predominantly peripherally mediated mechanical low back pain
- 2011
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In: Physiotherapy. - 0031-9406 .- 1873-1465. ; 97:Suppl. 1, s. eS18-
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Purpose: The specific objectives were to: 1) describe the level of pain intensity, disability, activity limitation, kinesiophobia and physical capacity in patients with predominantly peripherally mediated mechanical back pain, and 2) investigate whether differences between these patients in physical and psychosocial factors can be distinguished when the patients are further sub-grouped.Relevance: To improve assessment among patients with chronic low back pain (CLBP) it is important to investigate the prevalence of physical and psychosocial features in homogenous sub-groups.Participants: Seventy-one patients with CLBP, 20-60 years old, with peripherally mediated mechanical pain at the the moment for the study, were included and each patient was sub-classified into one of five sub-groups based on their pain behaviour and functional movement pattern (flexion n=20, flexion/lateral shift, n=11, active extension n=23 , passive extension n=8, and multidirectional pattern n=9).Methods: Data on pain intensity (Visual Analogue Scale), disability (the Roland and Morris Questionnaire), activity limitation (the Patient Specific Functional Scale), kinesiophobia (the Tampa Scale of Kinesiophobia) and physical capacity (lifting capacity and trunk extensor endurance) was collected.Analysis: Mean and standard deviation for parametric and median and interquartile range for non-parametric data were used for descriptive statistics. One-way ANOVA for normally distributed data and Kruskal-Wallis for non-normally distributed data were used for analyses of differences between the sub-groups. The subjects were also divided into two age-groups (20-40 and 41-60 years) and measures of physical capacity were compared to women and men at the ages of 34 and 50, respectively, in the general Swedish population using one sample T-test.Results: The patients reported low to moderate pain intensity (3.1/10±2.4), disability (RMDQ (7.27/24 ±4.2) and kinesiophobia (33.4/68 ±7) and these levels were lower than reported levels in other studies including more heterogenous groups of patients with CLBP. The patiens reported activity limitations (PSFS 13/30±23). Lifting capacity and trunk extensor endurance were significantly lower than in the general population in the youngest age-group. No significant differences in pain intensity, disability, kinesiophobia or physical capacity were found between the sub-groups.Conclusions: This research highlights that patients with predominantly peripherally mediated mechanical back pain may differ from other sub-groups of patients with CLBP (e.g., patients with central sensitization as dominating pain mechanism) regarding physical and psychosocial factors. The individual variation in pain intensity, disability, kinesiophbia and physical capacity among the patients indicates the importance to assess these factors in every patient. Due to the fact that there were few patients in the sub-groups, further research is necessary to explore whether there are differences, that we were not able to disingjish, between patients with different movement patterns.
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| 3. |
- Aasa, Björn, et al.
(author)
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Acuity of goal-directed arm movements and movement control : evaluation of differences between patients with persistent neck/shoulder pain and healthy controls
- 2022
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In: European Journal of Physiotherapy. - : Routledge. - 2167-9169 .- 2167-9177. ; 24:1, s. 47-55
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background: The main aim was to examine whether patients with persistent upper quadrant pain have higher end-point variability in goal directed pointing movements than pain-free controls when the pointing task is performed in total darkness and under full vision. An additional aim was to study associations between the magnitude of end-point variability and a clinical movement control test battery and self-rated functioning among patients.Methods: Seventeen patients and 17 age- and gender-matched pain-free controls performed a pointing task that evaluated end-point variability of repetitive shoulder movements in horizontal adduction and abduction with full vision, and abduction with no visual information, completed a movement control test battery of neck and shoulder control tests and answered questionnaires.Results: Patients had higher end point variability for horizontal abduction when performed with no visual information. For horizontal adduction the variability was higher, but only when it was controlled for movement time. No significant correlations were found between end-point variability and self-rated functioning, nor between end-point variability and neuromuscular control of the glenohumeral joint.Conclusions: This study provides preliminary evidence that patients with persistent neck/shoulder pain can partly compensate proprioceptive deficits in goal-directed arm movement when visual feedback is present.
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| 4. |
- Aasa, Björn, et al.
(author)
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Do we see the same movement impairments? : the inter-rater reliability of movement tests for experienced and novice physiotherapists
- 2014
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In: European Journal of Physiotherapy. - : Informa UK Limited. - 2167-9169 .- 2167-9177. ; 16:16, s. 173-182
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Study design: Inter-rater reliability study. Background: Physiotherapists (PTs) use clinical tests including movement tests to identify faulty movement patterns. Aims: To investigate the inter-rater-reliability of active movement tests in the cervical spine, shoulder joint and scapulo-thoracic joint, and to describe the reasons for judgment of a positive test. Methodology: Four PTs, two experienced and two recently educated (novice), rated performance of five movement tests for 36 participants. Twenty-one of the participants were patients under treatment because of neck and/or shoulder problems, while 15 participants declared no problem from this region of the body. All tests were video recorded and the ratings were done by observing the video recordings. First, the PTs judged the tests as negative (the movement being ideally performed) or positive (the movement not being ideally performed). Then, the PTs described why the movements that they judged positive were not being ideally performed, using a predefined protocol, which represented different movement quality aspects. The inter-rater reliability was calculated for each test using Kappa statistics between the two experienced and the two novice PTs, respectively, and between each of the experienced and each of the novice PTs. Major findings: The experienced PTs had a higher inter-rater reliability than the novice PTs. The reasons for considering a movement test being positive differed highly between the (novice) PTs. Principal conclusion: This study supports previous studies concluding that the observation of active movement tests is reliable when assessed by experienced PTs. Novice PTs might benefit from further supervision.
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- Aasa, Björn, et al.
(author)
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Individualized low-load motor control exercises and education versus a high-load lifting exercise and education to improve activity, pain intensity, and physical performance in patients with low back pain : a randomized controlled trial
- 2015
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In: Journal of Orthopaedic and Sports Physical Therapy. - : Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy (JOSPT). - 0190-6011 .- 1938-1344. ; 45:2, s. 77-85
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Study Design Randomized controlled trial. Background Low back pain is a common disorder. Patients with low back pain frequently have aberrant and pain-provocative movement patterns that often are addressed with motor control exercises. Objective To compare the effects of low-load motor control (LMC) exercise and those of a high-load lifting (HLL) exercise. Methods Seventy participants with recurrent low back pain, who were diagnosed with nociceptive mechanical pain as their dominating pain pattern, were randomized to either LMC or HLL exercise treatments. Participants were offered 12 treatment sessions over an 8-week period. All participants were also provided with education regarding pain mechanisms. Methods Participants were assessed prior to and following treatment. The primary outcome measures were activity (the Patient-Specific Functional Scale) and average pain intensity over the last 7 days (visual analog scale). The secondary outcome measure was a physical performance test battery that included 1 strength, 3 endurance, and 7 movement control tests for the lumbopelvic region. Results Both interventions resulted in significant within-group improvements in pain intensity, strength, and endurance. The LMC group showed significantly greater improvement on the Patient-Specific Functional Scale (4.2 points) compared with the HLL group (2.5 points) (P<.001). There were no significant between-group differences in pain intensity (P = .505), strength, and 1 of the 3 endurance tests. However, the LMC group showed an increase (from 2.9 to 5.9) on the movement control test subscale, whereas the HLL group showed no change (from 3.9 to 3.1) (P<.001). Conclusion An LMC intervention may result in superior outcomes in activity, movement control, and muscle endurance compared to an HLL intervention, but not in pain intensity, strength, or endurance.
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- Aasa, Ulrika, et al.
(author)
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Krafttag ska stoppa styrkelyftarnas skador
- 2015
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In: Svensk idrottsforskning. - : Centrum för idrottsforskning. - 1103-4629 .- 2002-3944. ; :4, s. 29-31
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Journal article (pop. science, debate, etc.)
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| 9. |
- Aasa, Ulrika, et al.
(author)
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Physical Activity Might Be of Greater Importance for Good Spinal Control Than If You Have Had Pain or Not : A Longitudinal Study
- 2015
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In: Spine. - 0362-2436 .- 1528-1159. ; 40:24, s. 1926-1933
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- STUDY DESIGN: Longitudinal design. A cohort followed in 3 waves of data collection.OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to describe the relationships between the performance of 2 tests of spinal control at the age of 52 years and low back pain, physical activity level, and fitness earlier in life, as well as to describe the cross-sectional relationships between these measures.SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Altered spinal control has been linked to pain; however, other stimuli may also lead to inability to control the movements of the spine.METHODS: Participants answered questions about physical activity and low back pain, and performed physical fitness tests at the age of 16, 34, and 52 years. The fitness test battery included tests of endurance in the back and abdominal muscles, a submaximal bicycle ergometer test to estimate maximal oxygen uptake, and measurements of hip flexion, thoracic spine flexibility, and anthropometrics. Two tests were aggregated to a physical fitness index. At the age of 52, also 2 tests of spinal control, the standing Waiter's bow (WB) and the supine double leg lower (LL) were performed.RESULTS: Logistic regression analyses showed that higher back muscle endurance at the age of 34 years could positively predict WB performance at 52 years and higher physical fitness at the age of 34 could positively predict LL performance at 52 years. Regarding cross-sectional relationships, an inability to perform the WB correctly was associated with lower physical fitness, flexibility and physical activity, and larger waist circumference. An inability to correctly perform the LL was associated with lower physical fitness. One-year prevalence of pain was not significantly associated with WB or LL test performance.CONCLUSION: An active life resulting in higher physical fitness is related to better spinal control in middle-aged men and women. This further strengthens the importance of physical activity throughout the life span.LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 3.
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| 10. |
- Berglund, Lars, et al.
(author)
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Effects of low-load motor control exercises and a high-load lifting exercise on lumbar multifidus thickness : a randomized controlled trial
- 2017
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In: Spine. - : Wolters Kluwer. - 0362-2436 .- 1528-1159. ; 42:15, s. E876-E882
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- STUDY DESIGN:Randomized controlled trial.OBJECTIVE:The aim of this study was to compare the effects of low-load motor control (LMC) exercises and a high-load lifting (HLL) exercise, on lumbar multifidus (LM) thickness on either side of the spine and whether the effects were affected by pain intensity or change in pain intensity.SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA:There is evidence that patients with low back pain (LBP) may have a decreased size of the LM muscles with an asymmetry between sides in the lower back. It has also been shown that LMC training can affect this asymmetry. It is, however, not known whether a high-load exercise has the same effect.METHODS:Sixty-five participants diagnosed with nociceptive mechanical LBP were included and randomized into LMC exercises or a HLL exercise, the deadlift. The LM thickness was measured using rehabilitative ultrasound imaging (RUSI), at baseline and after a 2-month training period.RESULTS:There were no differences between interventions regarding effect on LM muscle thickness. However, the analysis showed a significant effect for asymmetry. The thickness of the LM muscle on the small side increased significantly compared with the large side in both intervention groups, without influence of pain at baseline, or change in pain intensity.CONCLUSION:At baseline, there was a difference in thickness of the LM muscles between sides. It seems that exercises focusing on spinal alignment may increase the thickness of the LM muscles on the small side, irrespective of exercise load. The increase in LM thickness does not appear to be mediated by either current pain intensity or the magnitude of change in pain intensity.
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